Meet Our Animal Ambassadors 

An animal ambassador is an individual of a species - often a tame or habituated animal that lives permanently at a rehabilitation center or zoo - that is used to educate the public about the species. The Association of Zoos & Aquariums defines an ambassador animal as "an animal whose role includes handling and/or training by staff or volunteers for interaction with the public and in support of institutional education and conservation goals."

Comfortable around people, the animal can represent its species when traveling to classrooms, or during demonstrations and educational talks at the facility where it lives. Ambassador animals play a key role in connecting those who are near it with nature and the issues influencing the species itself or its native habitat.

For young children and adults alike, the thrill of being close to a wild animal can spark a life-long interest in learning more about a species or ecosystem, and importantly, in environmental conservation. So ambassador animals are some of the most important members of their species.